Stephanie comes from an ecology and environmental science background, having worked on restoration planting projects in both council and consultancy roles. She has experience in the fields of terrestrial and freshwater ecology, restoration planting and maintenance, as well as pest plant control and monitoring.

Rugged coastlines, fertile lowland plains, steep eroding hill country, through to the towering peaks of the Raukumara Ranges – this region sees a wide variance in climate,

soil and land use. Riparian and wetland planting projects aimed at restoring the mauri of our waterways and health of all ecosystems are becoming increasingly common.

There is increased interest in retiring and allowing severely eroded land to naturally regenerate as we seek to heal our land. In the same spirit of healing, Rongoa Māori is powerfully connecting us to the land.

Trees That Count is also seeing communities joining forces to carry out catchment scale restoration projects. Throughout the region there is a shared desire to restore the region's land, waterways, wildlife, forests and our beautiful slice of whenua.

Commonly used coloniser tree species for the region:

Every site will have its own requirements: this is where Stephanie can assist with site-specific recommendations. It can take a few seasons to learn what works well, and every season will be different, so be prepared for experiential learning too!

Contact local nurseries at least a year ahead of planting, even if just to express your interest, so you can assess their stocks and species selection.

Trees That Count supports eco-sourcing: plants should be grown from seeds collected from naturally occurring vegetation close to where they are to be planted. Not only does this help maintain your area’s natural uniqueness, but the plants will be suited to local conditions and more likely to survive.

Here’s a list of local nurseries who can help with eco-sourced plants:

These nurseries may also stock plants from outside your region, so you will need to ask specifically about their eco-sourced stock appropriate to your location.

All sites are different. Some may require several years of weed control prior to planting and others may only need a pre-plant spot spray or spot clearance with hand tools.

There’s plenty of expertise on hand to help you deal with weeds and pests before and after planting.

Pest control is also an issue across all regions. Take a look at PredatorFree’s excellent resources.

Your nursery of the Gisborne District Council may be able to help with soil advice, if needed. Also think about mulch and weed mats; fencing and stakes; and labour for planting.

If you’d like to review further information, the following guides might be useful to you:

Tāne’s Tree Trust – Protecting and Managing Native Trees Technical Guide

DOC’s practical guide on restoring native heritage

Streamside Planting Guide for Gisborne’s Urban Area

Wetland Restoration:

A Handbook for New Zealand Freshwater Systems (Landcare Research)

Native Forest Restoration – Tim Porteou

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Give Stephanie a call for a chat about your site, or to set up a site visit so she can check it out in person and discuss what might work best for your project.

Mobile 027 630 7818

Email : [email protected]